BUNGLING politician Godfrey Bloom's gaffe-prone prose has won him an award - for gobbledygook.

PUBLISHED: 10:35, Wed, Dec 4, 2013

Godfrey Bloom and Gary Neville [PA]

(He is) a wince-inducing gaffe machine

Campaign spokesman

The controversial former Ukip MEP - now an Independent MEP for Yorkshire and Humber - has been named the winner of the Plain English Campaign's Foot in Mouth award for 2013.

It marks an eventful year for Mr Bloom, who was censured for calling women "sluts" at a meeting and for hitting the Channel 4 News journalist Michael Crick over the head with a conference programme.

He had previously been widely condemned for referring to Bongo Bongo Land when he was discussing overseas aid.

Mr Bloom was one of a number of public figures - including royalty and a footballer - highlighted for their use of the language.

A campaign spokesman said: "Bloom was an overwhelming choice for the Foot in Mouth award and, to be fair to him, could easily have won this award on at least two other occasions.

"(He is) a wince-inducing gaffe machine and we could fill a page or two with his ill-advised quotes from 2013 alone."

The University of Essex Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies, the Alliance Trust Savings and the Department of Energy and Climate Change received Golden Bull gongs, for "the worst written nonsense", while Leicester City Council and MP Helen Grant also caught the attention of the judging panel.

The awards also celebrated those with a flair for language, with the Prince of Wales being commended for his outspoken views on pensions.

Former Manchester United captain-turned-television pundit Gary Neville was named Plain English Communicator, while there was also a nod to Observer journalist Andrew Rawnsley.